Sederrik's successor

A pair of freshmen are in the running to replace Zephyrhills' standout quarterback.

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published May 6, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - Zephyrhills coach Tom Fisher has two choices in replacing departing quarterback Sederrik Cunningham.

He can go with the familiar freshman, D.J. Clower, a younger, near-clone of Cunningham - a quarterback who scrambles. Or he can go with 6-foot-6, 220-pound freshman Tyler Guy, who has the potential to be a traditional pocket passer.

Fisher doesn't have a clear-cut favorite.

"We really haven't done anything yet. We've only been out there three days, " said Fisher, who is entering his 19th season. "I told them everyone can be replaceable to one extent or the other, but that's part of the game on every level. ...I just don't know yet."

Fisher said neither Guy nor Clower has an advantage over the other, except perhaps that the latter played quarterback for the junior varsity. Guy, however, moved to starting tight end this past season so his athletic ability wouldn't go to waste behind Cunningham, Fisher said.

Guy, who last played quarterback in middle school, definitely has an arm - he had a 3.31 ERA and 22 strikeouts while on the varsity baseball team.

"Tyler - there's getting him away from baseball because throwing the baseball is a lot different than throwing a football, " Fisher said. "D.J.'s a lot like Sederrik, though. He's quick and had a good arm as well."

Clower knows Cunningham's shoes will be hard to fill.

"It's going to be hard, but I think it can be done, " Clower said. "I know that I have to work hard during the offseason - get bigger, stronger, faster.

"There'll be comparisons to Sederrik, no matter who goes there. ...(Sederrik and I) can run and throw - do it on the fly. I'd like to replace him."

Guy, who is grateful to move back to a more familiar position, said it will be difficult to fill the role because Cunningham went out a winner.

"I've played quarterback my whole life and I've known all the plays, it's just getting used to the people (running the plays), " Guy said. "It's going to be tough because the last two years (Sederrik's) been the quarterback, we've won district titles, and anything less than that and they're going to be looking at what (Clower or I) do."

Whoever gets behind center - though Guy and Clower will face each other during their spring game on May 18, Fisher said - will have to take control of the team.

"Someone's got to step up, " Fisher said. "You can't replace Sederrik in every aspect, but someone eventually has to. It may take some time. It may take a year because no one is going to step right in there from Day 1."

[Last modified May 5, 2007, 19:06:26]